Centaurus Metals has taken another step toward development of its flagship Jambreiro iron ore project in southeast Brazil after lodging the key environmental approval documentation, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with the state environmental authority SUPRAM in the State of Minas Gerais.
The company is targeting approval of the EIA and grant of a Preliminary License for the project during October 2012, in line with its development timetable of producing first iron ore at Jambreiro by the end of 2013. The application has been made for an operation that can deliver up to 3 million metric tons per year (mt/y) of high grade iron ore, although the project is initially planned to commence production at a rate of 2 million mt/y.
Under Brazilian environmental regulations, this key approval document is locally known as an EIA/RIMA. On approval of this environmental application, the company will be granted a preliminary license or LP. Once the LP is granted, the company will apply for an installation license that will allow construction of the plant and equipment to commence on site.
